Norfolk General Hospital is facing capacity and staffing pressures as several staff members are off work due to COVID-19 or exposure to the virus, a hospital spokesperson said.
The hospital is also dealing with vacancies, Aaron Gautreau, the hospital’s director of communications and public relations, said Thursday.
“This has created a further strain on staffing resources which are already stretched beyond their limits,” Gautreau, said in a statement. “This has also resulted in longer than expected wait times at our emergency department and disruptions in other service areas as well.”
The number of staff positions vacant or workers off due to COVID was not released.
The hospital is asking people to be patient during this time, Gautreau said.
“We know people are growing tired of the pandemic, and that frustration remains high,” Gautreau said. “However, we need everyone to show a little more kindness and respect to staff, nurses, and physicians who continue to selflessly work around the clock to provide care to those who need it most.
“We are here to help you and require your cooperation, patience, and support in order to do so.”
Everyone has been impacted by COVID-19 in some way. But the pandemic is not over for staff and physicians at hospitals across Ontario, including at NGH, who continue to provide care every day, Gautreau said.
The public’s support over the past two years has been appreciated and felt by everyone working at the hospital. Now more than ever, hospital staff need that support to continue, he added.
“Every day, NGH and surrounding hospitals are facing rising pressures from COVID-19,” Gautreau said.
Residents are being urged to visit the emergency department for medical emergencies only, and to explore alternative options for non-urgent cases, such as walk-in clinics, using Health Connect Ontario, calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, virtual care, or consulting with a pharmacist.
Norfolk General is currently working with regional partners to balance demands across hospitals and using agency staffing resources to help relieve staffing pressures at NGH, Gautreau said.
Norfolk General has also enhanced its recruitment strategies as hospitals across Canada continue to grapple with the ongoing nursing shortage, he added.
Visitor restrictions and active screening remain in place at the hospital due to ongoing outbreaks. Exceptions are made for essential care providers of eligible patients.
On April 29, the hospital declared an outbreak on the 3E medical unit after seven patients tested positive. This followed an outbreak being declared on April 23 on the 3B medical/surgical unit after nine patients tested positive for COVID-19.
An outbreak at the 4B Complex Continuing Care Unit in which 13 patients tested positive was declared over on April 30.
With files from Postmedia.
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